Mountain Man dogs: dogs who have lived their lives in the middle of nowhere with a man who, although he loves his dogs, doesn't have access to resources to spay/neuter or provide vet care. It's easy to judge, but it's a sad reality that won't get any better by judging. Thankfully there are people who are reaching out to help. Crooked Leg Ranch, with the incomparable Willow who will go out on snowmobile to reach out to the people and help, and the Victoria Humane Society who will help find homes and provide spay/neuter services and vet care. Some of the Mountain Man dogs have been adopted, but some dogs of these dogs who come in to care so incredibly fearful, they seem broken.This is the case with (above l-r) Gracie, Simon and Maggie May (a.k.a. Mama). They are petrified. But slowly, they are getting used to close human presence after spending their lives living outside and building dens within the rubble that surrounded the trailer their human lived in. They have their own basement suite and have calm music playing the background. They get up and go outside to sniff a bit and do their business and they are learning to not be afraid of other dogs. Every night they get story time.

It doesn't matter who exactly the man is who had these dogs, or where he lives, because he's not the only "Mountain Man". This is not an isolated case. But these three dogs are now safe and warm. Where they are sleeping is where they have chosen to curl up - the warm spots by the heater and fridge. They have been provided veterinary care. So for now we will wait.

For some people it's about what dogs can do for us, but for these folks, it's about what they can do for them.For the full story on the Mountain Man dogs, please visit Crooked Leg Ranch's facebook post.

Oh, these pics, these pics, these babies hurt my heart. I am lucky enough to have one of these sweet pups. Xander joined our family 2 months and that fear you talk about, the crippling anxiety was heartbreaking. Hes come so far tho, with patience and love for the puppy he is now, every day, he grows into the dog he will be. He still has anxiety, but the first time he skipped and deked with me outside (2 weeks ago), I cried like a baby. May these babies find their forever home too. Bless you all. HUGS!

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Dana

2/28/2015 03:24:31 pm

Fabulous pictures and a great write up!

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MaryAnn Schiff

2/28/2015 10:57:29 pm

WOW! Those are beautiful dogs. I sincerely hope that they won't all be taken away from him. He must two or three or four whoVERY special to him, which could by spayed/neutered so they wouldn't produce more. And the rest of them adopted out. They look like they have a lot of Border Collie or other herding dog backgrounds...have local ranchers and farmers been notified and offered some of them? The "Mountain Man" really needs some dogs around him...at least two. I'm not sure where this is...maybe there aren't any "ranchers" in the area. You mentioned the RCMP...in Canada somewhere? I'm way down in West Texas.

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Robin Duke

2/28/2015 11:21:21 pm

beautiful blog Wendy and having a fearful dog from a recent surrender I know that these three will find their way. Thank you for all that you do for VHS.

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Leanne

3/1/2015 12:16:56 am

Beautiful photos and such a lovely write up. We adopted one of Maggie May's puppies. He is now five and a half months old and looks a lot like his momma, especially the big ears! He has brought a lot of joy, some frustration (he's a stubborn one!) and unlimited love to our household at a time when we desperately needed it. The Victoria Humane Society does so much to help animals in need and those animal help so many people in little unexpected ways. I am thankful for all the hard work of Penny and the many volunteers who work with her and offer to house and foster dogs on the mend.

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judith lavoie

3/1/2015 01:15:31 am

We have Henry - one of the Mountain Man puppies, who's turned into an amazing, confident puppy. Curious as to whether one of thgiose dogs is Henry's mum?